A Fulfilled Prophecy

Election years always bring about questions regarding faith and politics. "How much should faith inform politics?" This really hit me the other day, when I saw footage of John McCain exiting his bus with Rod Parsley nipping at McCain's heels. I have been very uncomfortable with the way the so-called Christian Right has been in bed with the Republican Party. (One could even make the argument that the Christian Left--and it does exist--is in bed with the Democratic Party.)

I have been reading one of the great books of religious history in America. It is Revivalism and Social Reform by Timothy L. Smith. On page 16, Smith writes:

[Fletcher] Harper [of Harper's Weekly] complained that clergymen and laymen alike rejoiced when they could persuade a politician or "some old hero of a general" to "harangue on such utilities before the annual religious gatherings"--as though the testimonies of public men were necessary to vindicate the gospel. He warned that if these aspects of religion continued to be presented as the chief ground of its support, Christianity would cease to serve the republic. Instead of the church evangelizing the world, the world would secularize the church.

I ask: "Is that not were we are today?" The church has sought its legitimacy from famous people--be they politicians, athletes, actors, etc. Does the church need John McCain (or some other famous person) to give Christianity legitimacy? Is not the church's legitimacy in Jesus Christ? He said, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

The reality is that the church winds up secularized.

This is not to say that Christians should abstain from voting or refrain from entering the political arena. The problem comes from when we try to show how legitimate our faith is based on who wins elections.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is probably most known as the unofficial kick-off to summer. Unfortunately, amidst the cook-outs and trips to the beach the meaning has been lost.

If you have ever been to Arlington National Cemetery (see picture), you can appreciated the endless sea of rolling hills covered with simple white grave markers of the men and women who gave up everything so we may be free. Stones as innumerable as the stars in the heavens fill every hill and valley of that hallowed ground.

Thank you, to all who have served.

Gas Prices

Gas prices continue to soar, but people continue to drive. Locally, I do not think anyone has cut back on driving. When I venture out, it seems that the roads are just as full as before. It seems that the gas stations are about as busy as ever.

Personally, we have cut back on driving. We drive to work, church and the kids' sports. Fortunately the grocery store where we shop is close to where I work, so I do the shopping after work.

One thing that does concern me, is the possibility that churches and charitable organizations may feel the pinch. Having pastored a small church with a super-tight budget, every dollar means something.

I would hate to see giving decline to organizations that help the less fortunate.

Cut out eating out or buying the new shoes, and contribute to those in need.

Stupidity Tax

I know that I have ranted about taxes a lot in the past few months, but have you ever thought it would be a good idea to have a tax on stupidity?

The thing is that most states already have one: the lottery.

The state tells us that we can become instant millionaires by picking the right numbers. Millions of people line up and pick their numbers. How many of them actually win? Not very many. The odds of winning Powerball is 1 in 146,107,962. That means that if you purchased two tickets per week (there are two drawing per week), you would have to play for over one million years before you were statistically "guaranteed" to win.

If that is not a tax on stupidity, I do not know what is.

By the way, the government used to call this "running numbers" when the mob did it. It was also illegal. I guess it is different when the government makes the money off it.

Back in the saddle

Well, my nearly two week vacation ended today. Summer school is in session. I am back to the grueling four-hour work day. Instead of four one-hour classes, I have two two-hour classes.

I do not understand teachers who think teaching is so difficult. This is the easiest job I have ever had, and the pay better than someone with my skills (or lack thereof) would make working a 9 to 5 job. I am home when the kids get home from school. ("Do your homework!")

On top of that, the power that be changed the schedule this summer. In the past, we taught four days per week and finished at the end of July. This year, we are teaching five days per week and will done in the middle of July, which translates to nearly a month off before the start of the fall semester. I must say, though, that I really liked the three day weekends.

I Guess This Makes Everything Alright

A contrite Mike Huckabee has apologized for his ridiculous comments about Obama having to evade a would-be assassin. Every thing is hunky-dory now.

In our day and age, a politician can make the most outlandish comment, apologize, and resume his verbal diarrhea as though nothing happened.

Sure, we have all made dumb comments that we wish we could take back as soon as we utter them. Public figures should be more careful. The best way to avoid having to issue an apology is think before you speak.

Speaking about the potential attempt on the life a President or presidential candidate is morally reprehensible (or, the attempt on anyone's life, for that matter). Within the last fifty years, one President has been assassinated (John F. Kennedy), two more have had at least one attempt on their life while in office (Gerald Ford--twice--and Ronald Reagan), and two more candidates have been targets (Robert Kennedy--killed in 1968--and George Wallace--paralyzed in 1972). It not funny to joke about such things. As near as I can tell, not too many in the audience of the National Rifle Association laughed at Huckabee's remark.

Response to Mike Huckabee's Stupid Comments

The Reformed Poser pointed this out. It is from those insightful political commentators, RUN-DMC. Click the link to view, unfortunately the embedding feature has been disabled for this video.

Just Shut Up!

Mike Huckabee makes one of the most stupid comments.

Aging

My wife found out today that she needs bifocals. I chuckled when I heard that, but then I had a nagging voice in my head: "You're turn is coming, buddy."

We cannot stop time. As much as try to look, feel and act younger, time marches on relentlessly.

As if we aren't fat enough

In an era when we hear about how fat we are, as a nation, the Kansas City Royals have done their part to promote that. They now offer a section of seats called "All You Can Eat" seats. For $40-$50 (depending on the game) you can cram all the hot dogs, nachos, pizza, frosties, pretzels, Coke, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, or whatever else you find into your face. I am not sure if other stadiums are doing this.

Three Down, 30 To Go

I have finished my first graduate school class, and have ten to go. I have earned three hours of the required 33. I earned an "A," somehow. We never did get a syllabus, so it was all fuzzy expectations.

Here are some conclusions about Twentieth Century European History:

• The Nazis and Fascists were not right-wingers. They were socialists.
• Europe was not a seething cauldron of anti-Semitism in the early part of the century, although parts of it were.
• The triumph of democracy, in western Europe after World War II and eastern Europe after the Cold War, was not inevitable.

Next up, some American history. In the fall, I get to take Historiography and Problems in North Carolina History.

I have gotten my feet wet, and will tackle two classes.

Voting

I went and cast my ballot for a plethora of positions, today. As a registered Republican, I did not participate in Rush Limbaugh's ingenious "operation chaos." I went counter to conventional party line voting on a couple races. Most notably, I could bring myself to vote for the Democrat-in-elephant's-clothing, also known as John McCain. Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul and Alan Keyes were on the ballot. I was surprised to see Keyes there. Huckabee is a McCain wannabe. Ron Paul is just nutty. So I filled in the little oval next to Alan Keyes. I know he will not win, but it is principle. Keyes is for limited government.

Religion of the Easy Answer

As I mentioned yesterday (see below), we often want easy answers to complex political and economic matters. I think that it is easy for us to fall into the same trap in spiritual issues. We want fast, cookie-cutter answers from God. If we are sick, we want absolute, immediate relief. When God does not answer, we get impatient. We think about what we have done wrong to anger God and thus prevent his answering our prayer.

I think that sometimes God just wants to teach us patience.

Politics of the Easy Answer

As much as I hate to admit it, Barrack Obama is right. Suspending the gas tax for the summer would not bring down gas prices long term. The savings would not really amount all that much for the average American. While I am all for cutting taxes, the temporary suspension of the gas is a ridiculous idea. It is nothing more than a campaign ploy by those advocating it, namely McCain and Clinton. It amounts to buying votes.

While Obama is right about that, his energy policy is wrong. Energy independence means drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. One thing confuses me about the debate over drilling in Alaska. Somehow, it is environmentally unfriendly. What environment are we trying to protect. This semester I had a student who lived in Barrow, Alaska, which is as far north as one can get in the United States. (The next thing after Barrow, Alaska is Santa's house.) She commented that there is noting up there but ice and mud. There are no trees, bushes or anything green. On top of that it is night for about two months each year.

This is a symptom of our time. Everyone wants an easy answer. Everyone wants an immediate solution. Everyone wants the fix now. NOW! I tell, you, NOW! In an era of the Internet, microwaves and other tools that give us instant gratification, we need to realize that some answers take time.

We also need to realize that gas prices will never again be $1.00 a gallon. Those days are gone, along with the horse and buggy.